Ryan ready for summer break

Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan says he needs a break after he helped the Seagulls avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Australia international was instrumental in the club’s ability to avoid the drop but he was unable to stop them struggling in the last few months.

Brighton won none of their final 10 matches under Chris Hughton and that form eventually saw him lose his job on Monday.

Ryan claims his team need to learn their lessons and regroup but he believes his side will also benefit from the summer break after a tough season both mentally and physically.

He told the club’s official website: ‘We did it the hard way, but most importantly we managed to achieve our goal of being safe for next season.

‘Looking back, we would’ve liked to capitalise on the position we were in at the halfway point with a healthy points tally at that time, and for whatever reason progress on in the way we would’ve liked.

‘We made it hard for ourselves, but we got there in the end, and there’s plenty to learn and build on for next season.

It’s the first time in six years where I haven’t got an international game in the summer.

‘This will be the only time in the next few years that we’ll have some time off and I’m going away looking forward to switching off my batteries.’